The Snowflake Contest may end within the next 12 hours! A storm is forming right over Kansas with a dusting to 2 inches possible.
Good afternoon NBC Action Weather Bloggers,
We are experiencing a fascinating weather day! And, the GFS just came out with so much more in the next few weeks. If you have been tracking the weather with us before, during, and after our winter forecast was issued last Monday night, then you know what the models have been forecasting. All different kinds of solutions. We will talk much more about the longer range in the next couple of days, as the latest GFS run is stormy and rather wintry. But, today let's concentrate on this storm. Look below at the two radar maps:
The above map, from Weathertap.com, was taken at 9:35 AM. The second picture below was grabbed at 10:35 AM. Look at the massive increase in radar echoes during this one hour stretch. A storm is forming right over Kansas this afternoon. This should come as absolutely no surprise at all. And, I won't be shocked if the snowflake contest ends later today or tonight. Jeremy will be at the NBC Action News studios measuring. One inch on grassy surfaces does count!
This storm forms right over us intensifying this evening before exiting and ejecting out through southern and eastern Missouri. You can see the forecast map for 6 PM this evening on the last blog! Let's watch the snowstorm gradually increase as we go through the afternoon. It will interesting to watch the snow fall during the KU/MU game today. I have been in touch with Arrowhead keeping them updated on this situation. Most forecasters struggle with these storm systems that develop right over us. It is obviously cold enough to snow and as the sun starts setting later today, the potential for accumulation will increase. Most of the accumulations would be on grassy surfaces, but if it snows hard enough in spots some could stick on roadways and sidewalks. So a few slick spots are possible overnight. The best chance of seeing an inch or more of snow would be on the Missouri side. In the metro the chances are better that we will stay in the dusting to 1" range. A lot depends on if a band of moderate or even heavy snow moves in and sticks around for an hour or two.
Have a great day. We will try to get to your thoughts and ideas on this storm and the next couple of weeks of exciting weather that may be ahead of us. The LRC is in full cycling motion. We are still figuring out more details and will know so much more in the next week to two weeks.
Gary